28 



FLORA OP NEW ZEALAND. 



[Filices. 



approximate and imbricating at the base ; the upper generally adnate, lower stalked, extremely variable m length, from 

 2-12 inches long and from |-1| broad, broadly oblong, or linear and almost strap-shaped, blunt acute, acumi- 

 nate or tailed- the base acute, cuneate, truncate, cordate or produced into great lobes above and below which 

 sometimes lap over those of the pinna, above it and the rachis, of a very rigid texture, marked with close 

 grooves between the veins ; margins finely and minutely toothed. Terminal pinna long or short, sometimes ere , 

 and much larger than the lateral ones. Lowest pinnce sometimes obliquely ovate, or even orkcular-reniform. FerUe 

 pinna on separate fronds, or occupying half (one side) of the sterile, or a few phmee or portions of them only are 

 soriferous, narrow linear, 3-8 inches long, sometimes so narrow as to be filiform. Costa naked or paleaceous,-- 

 There are no limits to the variations of this protean plant, of which the New Zealand botanist should collect and 

 preserve large suites of specimens, with the stipes and rhizome: it is indeed only by such large suites that any 

 accurate idea can be obtained of the species of Ferns, and it is impossible for the student or even the botanist to 

 recognize some of the states of this plant at first sight. About thirty New Zealand specimens were selected for the 

 Hookerian Herbarium, out of many hundreds that I have examined ; these show every character I have given in the 

 description, and pass so insensibly one into another, that I find it vain to attempt to limit the varieties. Most o 

 these may further be found in Tasmania, Australia, and South America, together with other varieties no alluded 

 to here. That which I have called — • differs in its smaller size, very coriaceous texture greener colour and 

 blunter pinmB.-PLAT, LXXV., L. proeera, var. minor. Fig. 1, fertile pinnule; 2, portion of ditto; 8, capsules; 

 4, spores :— all magnified. 



2 Lomaria fluviatilis, Spr. ; frondibus caaspitosis linearibus elongatis pinnatis, pinnis sterilibns 

 phrrimis membranaceis oblongo-rotundatis lineari-oblongisve obtusis crenatis margine undulatisye infirms 

 breve stipitatis supremis basi lata adnatis confiucntibusve, pinnis fertilibus brevibus linearibus erecfas obtusis, 

 rachi stipiteque brevi squamis patentibus, rhizomate crinito- P aleaceo.-%^. Syrt> *%• S ^^ Br ~ 

 Prodr. L. rotundifolia, Baoul, CM, de Planless, 9. t. 2 B. L. rotundifolia, Col. in Tarn PU Joum 

 Hab. New Zealand, Forster in Herb. Booh. Mountainous parts of the Northern Island, Colenso, etc. 

 Middle and Southern Islands, Lyall, etc. (Cultivated at Kew.) 



K very distinct species, also found in Tasmania, varying a good deal in size and form of pinnae but on the 

 whole a well-marked species. It is curious that both M. Eaoul and Mr. Colenso should have overlooked Brown s 

 description of L. fluviatilis, and independently adopted the name of rotundifoUa for this plant-M— stout often 

 voo y and basf of the short stipes thickly clothed with long scales. Fronds 8-18 inches high, tufted very 

 narrow. Pinna very numerous, sterile, rounded or linear-oblong, blunt, waved or creiiate at the tip, *-l 4 inch 

 Ion. • lower shortly stipitate ; upper adnate by a broad base, top ones confluent. 2W of the fertile fronds fewer, 

 erect,' linear, narrow, blunt, |-| inch long. Stipes and rachis covered with more or less spreading scales. 



S Lomaria pumila, Eaoul; frondibus caespitosis linearibus lineari-lanceolatisve basi angnstatis breve 

 stipitatis submembranaceis pinnatis v. superne pinnatifidis, pinnis lineari-oblongis obtusis basi abrupte con- 

 tracts late adnatisve crenato-dentatis inferioribus rotundatis, fertilibus longe stipitatis pinnate, pinnis 

 ascendentibus linearibus remotis obtusis mucronatisve, stipite glaberrimo, rack parce basr dense paleacea.- 

 Baoid,CMxdePlatites,p.l0.l.ZA. 



Hab. Northern and Middle Islands; not uncommon m damp woods, watercourses, etc., Rami, 



Colenso, Pry all, etc. . 



A very much smaller plant than L. fluviatilis or L. lanceolata, to both of which it is nearly allied ohffenng 

 from fluviatm in the smaller size, paler fronds, glabrous rachis and upper part of stipes, and pinnule, being less on- 

 told at the base, and from lanceolata in the much smaller size, narrower, more pinnate frond, more membranous 

 Lure, and shorter, broader pinnules. From the common large coriaceous state of L lanceolata with narrow, 

 almost entire, falcate pinnules, it is abundantly distinct; but I have many specimens of both that I am quite at a 

 loss how to distinguish. Most of my specimens have more pinnate fronds, and pinnules more narrowed at the base, 



